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 Floods.
We have all seen the pictures on television and on the internet. News
casts speak of massive amounts of water bulldozing everything in its
path, as it rushes through helpless towns and communities, carrying
entire cars and houses along for the ride. Hundreds of photos of roof
tops sticking out of stagnant muddy water as people who once inhabited
those homes are rescued, and taken to shelter to wait for the waters
to subside. Thousands of lives wrecked, and left to rebuild.
Floods are a grim reality that the United States face every year.
They are an unavoidable force of nature. We cannot stop them from
happening, but we can be prepared to face floods should they become
imminent. The following page provides not only flood facts, but also
safety tips both before, during, and after a flood occurs.
 People
most at risk for flooding are those that live in low lying areas,
downstream from a dam, or near a body of water. There are several
different scenarios that cause a flood. One such scenario involves
large amounts of snow that melts faster than the ground can absorb
it. In flat areas this can cause large amounts of standing water.
In the mountains, this snow melt becomes much more dangerous. This
water drains into streams, as it finds its way off the mountains,
but there is so much of it, that often the waters overtake the stream
bed and gush downhill, making their own path. These waters not only
gain volume (both in liquid form and in debris), but also speed. By
the time it reaches habitation, it has become a racing wall of water
and debris that sweeps up everything in its path.
Another flood scenario is caused by
intense rains. These torrents may not last long, but the rain comes
down faster than the ground and drainage systems can dispose of it.
This causes pooling of water in ditches, across roads and yards, and
sometimes in basements of houses. These are flash floods. Many people
take flash floods for granted due to the fact that they often appear
small and harmless. But looks can be deceiving. Flash floods are just
as dangerous as any other flood. They may appear mild at first, but
they are unpredictible. They rise quickly, often without warning,
their depths can be very deceiving, and no matter how calm they may
appear, they may have dangerous currents.
The last flood scenario involves an area receiving rain for a prolonged
amount of time. These areas may get continuous bouts of pouring rain
on a daily basis for what may be days or even weeks. Often times this
rain comes from large weather fronts or tropical systems, such as
hurricanes. The ground becomes saturated and cannot take on anymore
water. This extra water finds its way to lakes, rivers, and streams,
causing them to overflow their boundaries. Should the rains continue,
the overflowing waters grow. Rivers explode, their currents becoming
ever stronger, and merging with other bodies of water. They flow through
roadways, invade buildings, and uproot trees. Finally, everything
is their path is wiped away.
Floods are a frightening experience. They are destructive and deadly.
The very thought of this destruction actually playing itself out in
your area is very intimidating. It is very important to know what
to do to prepare for a flood and how to deal with the after effects
of a flood. Please visit our "Flood Safety Tips" for more
information about how remain safe and prepared in flooding conditions.
*ALL FLOOD FACTS OBTAINED FROM NOAA
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